Becca : Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. Let’s start with the basics! Can you introduce yourself? Who are you, what do you study, and how did you get here?

Nasser: Hello, my name is Nasser. I am a student at Drexel University, studying Global Studies. This is my third year in the program. I come from Cameroon, and I moved to the U.S. a few years ago. When I was younger, I lived in a refugee camp in Morocco for some time. This part of my life has really influenced what I study and what I want to do in the future. I am very interested in learning about and helping with human rights and peace. My classes focus on big world problems like people having to leave their homes because of danger or bad conditions. I work hard to learn how we can all understand each other better and make the world a safer place for people who have to move from their homes.

Becca:  Wow, that’s quite a journey. Can you tell me more about where you grew up and how those experiences shaped your personal and academic path?

Nasser: I grew up in Cameroon and Morocco. At the age of 10, due to ongoing conflict in our region, I had to leave. I then spent a significant part of my adolescence in a refugee camp in Morocco starting from when I was 13 years old. These early experiences with conflict and displacement deeply influenced both my personal and academic paths.

Living in a refugee camp, I witnessed firsthand the struggles and resilience of displaced communities. This environment instilled in me a profound commitment to human rights and a desire to work towards peace and socioeconomic integration for people like myself who have been forced to flee their homes. These experiences led me to pursue a degree in Global Studies at Drexel University, where I focus on issues like forced migration and armed conflict.

The transition to life in the U.S. presented its own set of challenges, particularly with language barriers and cultural adjustments. However, these challenges only fueled my determination to succeed academically and to use my education to advocate for others facing similar struggles. My background as a refugee drives my passion for creating a world where displaced populations are afforded the rights and opportunities they deserve.

Becca: You’ve lived in such different linguistic and cultural environments—Cameroon, Morocco, and now the U.S. How has your relationship with the French language changed over time? Has it played a role in shaping your identity or future goals?

Nasser: I have lived in different places where French is important. In Cameroon, where I grew up, French is one of the main languages people speak. It helped me in school and in everyday life. When I moved to Morocco, French was useful again because many people there also speak it. It helped me make friends and understand things better in a new country.

Now, I am studying in the United States, where people mostly speak English. However, knowing French is still very helpful. It helps me with my studies, especially when I learn about countries where people speak French. It also gives me more chances to work with international groups that help people in French-speaking places.

French is more than just a language for me. It connects me to my past, to places I have lived, and to what I want to do in the future. It helps me remember where I came from and lets me help others who are in tough situations like I was.

Becca: That makes a lot of sense—language isn’t just about words, it’s about access and opportunity. Thinking about French in Cameroon and Morocco specifically, do you feel like France still uses the language as a way to exert influence? Have you seen examples of this in everyday life?

Nasser: In Cameroon, French is very important in daily life. For example, when people go to markets in cities like Douala, they use French to ask for prices and to talk with sellers. French is useful in many jobs too. For instance, if you want to work in a bank or an office, you often need to know French. In schools, most of the classes are taught in French. This means if you are a student in Cameroon, you need to understand and speak French well to do well in school. Also, important papers like birth certificates or marriage documents are all written in French. This shows how much French is a part of life in Cameroon.

In Morocco, French is also very useful, especially in business and tourism. For tourists, many signs and guides in places that tourists visit are in French. This makes it easier for visitors who speak French to understand and enjoy their visit. In Moroccan cities, if you go to the doctor or watch TV, you will often hear French. Many doctors in Morocco learned their profession in French, and they use French at work. Also, many TV shows and newspapers are available in French, so people can enjoy watching and reading in French too. This helps everyone get news and have fun in both Arabic and French.

Becca: Given that you’ve lived in different places and been exposed to other global languages like English and Arabic, where do you think French fits in as a tool of soft power? What are its biggest strengths and weaknesses?

Nasser: I have lived in Cameroon, Morocco, and the U.S., and I have seen how French is used differently compared to other global languages like English and Arabic. French is very important for connecting different cultures, helping countries work together, and doing business, especially in places that used to be connected to France or still share strong ties with it.

• Culture: French movies, books, and art are loved all over the world. This helps spread the French language and makes people feel good about France and other places where French is spoken.

• Education: In many countries, French is taught in schools because of historical connections with France. This keeps French as an important language for learning and gives it a special status.

• Business: French is used a lot in big international groups like the UN and the European Union. This makes it very important for talking about world business and for countries to work together.

• Where it is spoken: French is very important in some parts of the world like Europe and Africa but not as much in others like East Asia or Latin America.

• Competition from English: English is often seen as the main global language, especially in business and technology. This can make French less popular, especially among young people who want to connect with the wider world.

• Money and effort needed: To spread French around the world, countries need to spend a lot of money on teaching the language and setting up cultural centers. However, there is often more money and effort put into spreading English or even Mandarin than French.

Becca:That’s a great point. Speaking of younger generations, have you noticed any shifts in how French is perceived in Cameroon or Morocco? Do you think the influence of French is fading over time?

Nasser: In Cameroon and Morocco, the way people feel about French is changing, especially among the younger generations. French has been very important in these countries for a long time because it is used in government, schools, and business. However, as the world becomes more connected, English is becoming more popular, especially among young people.

Older people in Cameroon often see French as very important for getting good jobs and being respected in society. For example, in big cities like Yaoundé and Douala, many business meetings and school classes are conducted in French. However, young people are starting to prefer English because they see it as the language of technology and international business. Many young Cameroonians are interested in studying in English-speaking countries or working for international companies that use English. They use English on the internet, watch movies in English, and use apps that are in English, which makes them more comfortable with the language.

Similar to Cameroon, older generations in Morocco value French highly. It is used in many official settings and is necessary for many high-level jobs. For instance, if you go to government offices or banks in cities like Rabat or Casablanca, you'll hear a lot of French. However, English is becoming more popular among young Moroccans. Schools are starting to teach more courses in English, and young people use English on social media and in their personal interests. This shift is partly because many young people see English as a gateway to global opportunities and because Morocco is increasing its business ties with English-speaking countries.

Becca: Looking ahead, how do you see the role of French evolving in Cameroon’s future? If you could shape language policy, what would you prioritize—local identity, national unity, or global opportunity?

Nasser: Cameroon is a country with many different languages, which shows its rich culture. For example, in the north, many people speak Fulfulde, which they use every day for talking, trading, and in cultural events. In the center and south, Ewondo is popular, especially in the capital city, Yaoundé. People use it in markets and schools.

Along the coast, the Duala language is important for the local economy, especially in fishing and business. Near Cameroon's big economic city, Douala, people often speak Bassa at work and during community meetings. In the western highlands, Bamileke languages are used for farming, local government, and traditional ceremonies.

Teaching these local languages in schools would help keep Cameroon's cultures alive. It would also make it easier for people to talk to each other in their daily lives and strengthen the community. This is good because it helps everyone understand each other better and feel proud of their heritage.

Becca: Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share? Maybe something we haven’t covered yet?

Nasser: One important thing about Cameroon we haven't talked about much is how many different groups of people live there. Cameroon has over 250 different ethnic groups, making it very diverse. This means there are many different cultures, languages, and traditions in one country. For example, in the north, there are the Fulani people who are known for moving around with their cattle. In the western highlands, the Bamileke people are famous for their beautiful art and big ceremonies.

Each group brings their own ways and ideas to important issues like how to use land, how schools should work, and how to grow the economy. While having so many different groups makes Cameroon rich in culture, it can also make it hard for everyone to agree and work together. By respecting and showing the importance of all these different groups, Cameroon can use this diversity to make the country stronger and more united. This helps everyone learn from each other and work together better.